CoinMENA, a regulated crypto broker with licenses in the UAE and Bahrain, is one of the selected crypto exchanges globally to be listing Ripple’s new RLUSD stablecoin on its platform. CoinMENA is the only crypto broker to be chosen by Ripple to list its stablecoin in the MENA region.

Ripple which today launches its Ripple USD (RLUSD) on global exchanges has chosen CoinMENA, Uphold, MoonPay, Archax, Bitso, Bullish, Bitstamp, with Mercado Bitcoin, Reserve, Zero Hash and others expected in the coming weeks.

CoinMENA Founders, Dina Sam’an and Talal Tabbaa commented, “We are proud to be the first and only platform in MENA to list RLUSD, the latest stablecoin in the market. Demand for stablecoins is exploding in the region, driven by diverse and growing use cases, we are seeing from our user base. Stablecoins are by far the most popular use case in the crypto today, and this listing reflects our commitment to providing the latest crypto financial solutions that meet the evolving needs of our users.”

Each RLUSD token is fully backed by U.S. dollar deposits, U.S. government bonds, and cash equivalents—designed to ensure its stability, reliability, and liquidity. To maintain the highest standards of transparency, Ripple will publish monthly, third-party attestations of RLUSD’s reserve assets, conducted by an independent auditing firm.

“Early on, Ripple made a deliberate choice to launch our stablecoin under the NYDFS limited purpose trust company charter, widely regarded as the premier regulatory standard worldwide,” said Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple’s CEO. “As the U.S. moves toward clearer regulations, we expect to see greater adoption of stablecoins like RLUSD, which offer real utility and are backed by years of trust and expertise in the industry.”

Key RLUSD partners include leading global exchanges, market makers, and payment providers, which will drive adoption and usage across the Americas, Asia-Pacific, UK, and Middle East regions.

RLUSD will be utilized for financial use cases and allows institutions to, facilitate instant settlement of cross-border payments, access liquidity for remittance and treasury operations, seamlessly integrate with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, and a reliably bridge between traditional fiat currencies and the crypto ecosystem, ensuring a seamless and efficient transition when entering (on-ramping) or exiting (off-ramping) the crypto space.

It will also be used to provide collateralization for trading tokenized real-world assets such as commodities, securities, and treasuries onchain.

Early next year, Ripple Payments will use RLUSD to facilitate global payments on behalf of its enterprise customers. Ripple Payments has served $70 billion in payments volume and counting, and has near-global coverage with 90+ payout markets, which represent more than 90% coverage of the daily FX market.

 RLUSD is available on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum blockchains, offering flexibility and scalability for a broad range of financial use cases.

“Stablecoins could become the backbone of private payments by offering a secure, scalable, and efficient alternative to traditional systems. With its focus on compliance and reliability, RLUSD aims to establish new standards for trust and to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of payments. Joining the Advisory Board provides me an opportunity to counsel RLUSD as it embarks on its journey in the rapidly evolving financial landscape,” said Raghuram Rajan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India.

“I am excited to join Ripple’s advisory board at such a pivotal moment for digital finance,” said Kenneth Montgomery, former First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. “Stablecoins are rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of the payments landscape, delivering the speed, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness that traditional systems often struggle to achieve. I look forward to collaborating with the Ripple team to support the global growth and adoption of RLUSD, unlocking new opportunities for financial inclusion and modernizing the future of payments.”

Tranglo, a leading global cross-border payment hub and a partner of Ripple, an enterprise blockchain solutions for global payments has expanded its operations into the GCC ( Guld Cooperation Council) in three new markets, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain.

As per the press release, the strategic move aims to meet the growing demand for efficient remittance services across the GCC region, one of the largest remittance markets globally.

By expanding into Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain, Tranglo’s innovative payment solutions are now accessible to over 31 million migrant workers. Remittances coming from the GCC countries amount to $120 billion and are projected to grow.

The press release notes that Tranglo solidifies its commitment to transforming remittance and cross-border transactions across the region. Tranglo entered the UAE market in 2023, enabling individuals to make direct transfers to bank accounts.

Commenting on the latest milestone, Tranglo Group CEO, Jacky Lee, said, “The entry into Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain, is evidence of our dedication to building a more inclusive and connected world. The GCC region has a unique remittance landscape, with millions of workers relying on safe, cost-effective cross-border payments to support loved ones back home. Our expansion in these countries will streamline financial access and strengthen our commitment to providing solutions that make sending money simpler and more affordable.”

At launch, individuals can send funds using the cash pick-up method, with transactions available for near-instant collection in Omani Rial (OMR), Qatari Riyal (QAR), and Bahraini Dinar (BHD). The cash pick-up option is now also available in the UAE.

Tranglo helps financial institutions and businesses pay through Tranglo Connect, its proprietary cross-border payments solution. Tranglo seamlessly integrates payout and partner services, unifying the end-to-end process with direct API access.

Ripple, provider of digital asset infrastructure, proudly has renewed its partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi through its University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI). As per the announcement, this extension solidifies Ripple’s commitment to advancing blockchain research by supporting innovative student initiatives in the region, bringing the total funding grant to over $1 million in support of NYU Abu Dhabi research projects and student initiatives.

“Ripple and NYU Abu Dhabi share a vision of unlocking the full potential of blockchain research and innovation in the region,” said Reece Merrick, Ripple Managing Director, Middle East, and Africa. “The UBRI program plays a crucial role in supporting cutting-edge research and academic exploration, and this ongoing collaboration exemplifies Ripple’s dedication to driving transformative advancements in digital finance. Coupled with our recent partnership with the DIFC Innovation Hub to support blockchain innovation in the region, these initiatives highlight our broader strategy to integrate blockchain technology into startups and established institutions in the UAE.”

Ripple’s UBRI program is dedicated to fostering blockchain research and development at over 58 universities worldwide. The initiative aims to drive global adoption and interoperability of digital assets through strategic support, technical resources, and funding grants. UBRI’s global impact encompasses over $60 million in funding since its launch in 2018.

Lauren Weymouth, Director, University Partnerships at Ripple, added, “Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative is dedicated to advancing blockchain research and education globally. In the past year alone, we’ve seen remarkable progress, funding over 313 scholarships and blockchain-related research projects and publishing over 150 research papers and technical projects. As we build on this momentum, we’re eager to further collaborate with NYU Abu Dhabi to cultivate innovation, foster fintech advancements, and contribute to the UAE’s growing leadership in the digital economy. By supporting UBRI-led research, we are investing in a region that leads in innovation and technological advancement, reinforcing our mission to foster transformative projects and support the UAE’s vision of becoming a global financial hub.”

Raša Karapandža, Visiting Professor of Economics at NYU Abu Dhabi, added, “NYU Abu Dhabi is thrilled to extend its partnership with Ripple, which has been instrumental in placing the university at the forefront of blockchain research and education in the region. The continued support from Ripple’s UBRI program strengthens our commitment to driving innovation and fostering a forward-thinking mindset within our academic community. As we extend this partnership, we aim to further empower our students and faculty by deepening their engagement with blockchain technology, advancing research in this transformative field, and equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to lead in the rapidly evolving digital economy.”

NYU Abu Dhabi was the first UAE university to join Ripple’s University Blockchain Research Initiative (UBRI). Since its inception in 2021, the Ripple Blockchain Collaboratory at NYU Abu Dhabi has successfully driven research and project-based courses in blockchain, cryptocurrency, cybersecurity, and fintech. Additionally, it has integrated with the Corporate Sprint Accelerator Program powered by startAD, helping fintech and blockchain startups launch and scale in the UAE through innovative pilot projects.

In its fourth year, this renewed partnership with NYU Abu Dhabi is part of Ripple’s broader strategy to deepen its engagement in the UAE and the wider Middle East region, underscoring its dedication to nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and advancing the adoption of digital assets.

As part of its commitment to its university partners, UBRI has played a pivotal role in this collaboration. NYU Abu Dhabi professors, including Raša Karapandža and Yaw Nyarko, are conducting world-class, UBRI-led research using blockchain and AI to create efficient markets in Africa, with a live crypto project in Ghana. The goal of their research is to leverage technology and markets to transform rural agricultural markets in developing countries, apply innovative blockchain technologies, digital currencies, and AI to benefit these markets, and improve the livelihoods and economic development of the poorest farmers in sub-Saharan Africa through technological innovations, enabling sustainable prosperity and growth.

Additionally, the university has been running an XRP Ledger (XEPL) validator and a new EVM side chain validator to enhance XRPL interoperability and support the broader adoption of innovative technologies in the region. Furthermore, the university has been offering fintech courses as well as courses on Technology and Economic Development that cover blockchain and AI technologies in great depth to prepare the next generation of leaders.

Ripple, a provider of enterprise blockchain and crypto solutions, has partnered with the DIFC Innovation Hub to accelerate blockchain and digital assets innovation in the UAE.

As per the press release, the new partnership will connect the next generation of developers with the DIFC Hub, the largest innovation community in the region and home to more than 1,000 growth-stage tech firms, innovation companies, digital labs, venture capital firms, regulators and educational entities. The partnership between Ripple and the DIFC Innovation Hub will provide the means to drive blockchain and crypto adoption amongst early-stage companies and scale-ups as well as to introduce and position the technology with traditional large strategic institutions and their use cases.

“The UAE is one of the most advanced jurisdictions globally when it comes to offering regulatory clarity for licensed firms to offer virtual asset services and fostering an environment in which the next generation of financial innovation can flourish,” said Brad Garlinghouse, Ripple Chief Executive Officer. “Our partnership with the DIFC Innovation Hub promises to drive the adoption of blockchain technology in the region as the XRPL continues to be a leading blockchain for the region’s start-ups and scaleups building real use cases.”

Ripple has committed one billion XRP to accelerate development and new global use cases on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), the decentralised, layer 1 blockchain. Through the commitment, Ripple will provide financial, technical, and business support to developers. Since announcing the 1B XRP Fund in late 2021, Ripple has funded over 160 teams building on the XRPL, reaching 47 countries to date, across a wide range of use cases spanning decentralised finance (DeFi), to Real World Assets (RWA), and other groundbreaking new solutions.

Arif Amiri, DIFC Chief Executive Officer, added, “Today marks a significant milestone in Dubai’s ongoing journey to accelerate its position as a leading international centre of excellence for business and finance. Our partnership with Ripple underscores the strength of our developer community and DIFC’s commitment to fostering technological advancements. The collaboration further cements DIFC’s role as a leading global hub for talent, tech and innovation, as we continue to enhance our ecosystem, powered by a world-class regulatory jurisdiction, to drive the future of finance.”

“The UAE’s progressive approach to fintech, coupled with Ripple’s billion XRP developer fund, creates a fertile ground for innovation in the UAE,” said Reece Merrick, Ripple Managing Director, Middle East and Africa. “Our new collaboration with the DIFC will empower regional talent to build the next generation of financial solutions on the XRP Ledger, solidifying the UAE’s position as a leading fintech hub globally.”

XRP as a digital asset was recently accepted as a recognized crypto in DIFC.

Ripple Blockchain cross border payments provider has partnered with Commercial International Bank (CIB) in Egypt to leverage XRP for faster, secure and cost effective transactions in the remittance sector.

This strategic alliance aims to revolutionize the way cross-border payments are conducted, leveraging Ripple’s cutting-edge technology and the digital currency XRP to enhance international remittance services. The collaboration, heralded by industry experts, signifies a major leap forward in financial innovation and efficiency.

This collaboration follows Ripple’s announcement to increase its activities in the United States, signaling a broader strategy to cement its position as a leader in blockchain technology and digital currency. The alliance with CIB, one of Egypt’s premier financial institutions, is particularly noteworthy as it positions the bank as the second major Egyptian bank, after the National Bank of Egypt (NBE), to embrace Ripple’s technology for cross-border transactions.

Prominentmember of the Ripple community on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter), Wrathofkahneman,  published the news that fintech heavyweight Ripple Labs has onboarded another major customer, sharing a link to the 2024 Fintech Report, Egypt.

The report states that Commercial International Bank (CIP) based and operating in Egypt is now collaborating with Ripple to integrate its blockchain technology in order to “enhance the efficiency of cross-border payments.” He wondered whether the bank will also integrate the XRP token itself as part of its collaboration with Ripple.

As per the recent report by law firm Shehata & Partners, CIB integrated Ripple’s technology to transform cross-border transactions.

Navin Gupta, former Managing Director for South Asia and MENA at Ripple has left Ripple to join Crystal, a blockchain intelligence firm focused on compliance and risk monitoring for cryptocurrencies, Gupta will become the new CEO of Crystal while Marina Khaustova moves into the new position of Chief Operations Officer at Crystal.

Crystal is a blockchain intelligence firm empowering financial institutions, law enforcement and regulators with real-time blockchain analysis, investigative and compliance solutions.

Gupta joins Crystal from Ripple, where he successfully drove growth for the firm in the MEA and South Asian markets. His roles at HSBC and CitiBank, and entrepreneurial experience as co-founder of a commercial transport technology platform, makes Gupta the perfect candidate to steer this next phase of expansion for Crystal. Ripple has grown over the past years in MENA region with 20% of its customers coming from MENA.

With crypto assets becoming increasingly mainstream due to key regulatory and market developments, Crystal appointed Gupta to expand its blockchain intelligence solutions to a global audience of regulators, VASPs, TradFi sectors, and stakeholders in cryptocurrencies.

“Recent developments like the Bitcoin ETF approval have set the stage both for an increased appetite for digital assets and for compliance tools to keep pace with regulatory expectations,” said Brian Brooks, Bitfury Board member and former head of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. “It is imperative that regulators and financial institutions worldwide equip themselves with the best toolset and intelligence to keep pace and be fully prepared to tackle any potential risks from this asset class.”

Gupta said, “Marina and Crystal has been at the forefront of developing an exceptional blockchain intelligence solution. As we continue to see adoption grow, we are committed to leveraging new-age tech to stay ahead of the curve. Regulators need superior intelligence and cutting-edge tools to navigate these changes, and TradFi institutions are seeking to manage risks effectively as they enter the digital assets market. Our goal is to stay insanely customer-centric, bringing our solutions to every corner of the world.”

Since 2019, Crystal has expanded its presence into key financial hubs including North America, UK, Europe and MEA, empowering financial institutions, investigators, and regulators with blockchain analysis, compliance and risk monitoring solutions. Crystal’s customer base doubled in 2023 by focusing on delivering its unique solution to enforcement and supervisory bodies. The product offers real-time indirect risk assessment, monitoring over 50,000 entities and organizations and offers proprietary training programs for professional cybercrime investigators.

Over the past few months more and more Web3 and Blockchain companies have been hiring for managerial positions in the MENA and GCC region. One of the latest is the new Managing Director of Middle East and Africa for Ripple, Mr. Reece Merrick as well as Amir Tabch CEO for APAC and MENA at Liminal Custody Solutions.

In a LinkedIn post, Reece Merrick stated, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Managing Director, Middle East & Africa at Ripple!”

While Web3 entity, Liminal Custody Solutions (Liminal), the fastest-growing digital asset custody and wallet infrastructure provider in the APAC and MENA announced in a press release the appointment of Amir Tabch as its CEO for the Middle East region.

Mr. Tabch, a seasoned financial services executive and fintech pioneer, brings over two decades of experience in leading and scaling businesses across traditional and digital asset markets.

Prior to this, Mr. Tabch held senior leadership positions at SC Meta Markets, Emirates Investment Bank, and First Abu Dhabi Bank, where he honed his expertise in global markets, multi-asset trading, and regulatory compliance. He was also the Ex Copper Securities CEO.

Mr. Tabch’s appointment is part of Liminal’s strategic expansion in the Middle East and expansion of its custody offerings.

In addition Landvault appointed Muhammad Hamza as Landvault’s Vice President of Business GCC. Based in Dubai, Muhammad’s extensive expertise in artificial intelligence, metaverse technologies, and virtual development will further drive Landvault’s business strategy and oversee our international expansion in the GCC region. Landvault has built over 100 million square feet in virtual experiences for brands including Mastercard, Standard Chartered, Hershey, and more.

Even entities within the UAE are announcing new appointments, such as HUB71 which announced that Ahmad Ali Alwan has transitioned from Deputy Chief Executive Officer to Chief Executive Officer of Hub71 as of January 2024.

Alwan joined Hub71 as a founding member in 2019 and was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Hub71 in October 2022. Since then, Alwan has played a critical role in spearheading Hub71’s strategic development to become one of the region’s premier tech startup hubs supporting more than 260 startups that raised over AED 5 billion in capital.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Hub71, said: “Within Abu Dhabi’s soaring ‘Falcon Economy’, Hub71’s transformative impact on the startup landscape is undeniable. Under the ambitious leadership of Hub71, startups globally have a destination where innovation thrives, and growth unlocks endless possibilities. Ahmad has witnessed Hub71 growth stages and played a pivotal role in building the global tech ecosystem in Abu Dhabi. The journey ahead is an exciting, and we are confident that his deep knowledge and experience in helping startups and founders grow and scale disruptive technology companies from the UAE will shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s tech ecosystem.”

In 2023 for example, Web3 Blockchain company, Circle appointed its Vice President for Middle East and Africa, Miriam Kiwan. Many others have been hired over the past two years, as both local and globaly players flock to the region.

Ripple Blockchain and crypto solutions provider has partnered with Onafriq, fintech payments entity, previously known as MFS Arica to offer digital asset enabled cross border payments in Africa, GCC ( Gulf Cooperation Council) countries as well as UK and Australia.

Onafriq utilizing Ripple payments, will open three new payment corridors between Africa and the rest of the world. In GCC Onafriq will be working with Blockchain enabled Pyyple fintech payments entity.

Antti Arponen, CEO at Pyypl, said: “The success of the GCC in drawing in people from all over the world to live and work here has made it a hub for remittance payments. So we are really pleased that our ever-increasing number of customers seeking to send money to Africa will greatly benefit from our new connection with Onafriq, which will allow them to send remittances quickly and cost-effectively to the continent. ”

The partnership is bringing faster, more efficient, and cost-effective international money transfers to Africa, and is set to accelerate financial inclusion across the continent.

“For a number of years, Ripple has supported crypto-enabled, cross-border payments to individuals and businesses, and we are particularly excited to expand the reach of our solution into Africa thanks to our Onfriq partnership,” said Aaron Sears, SVP, Global Customer Success at Ripple. “Connecting our partners PayAngel, Pyppl and Zazi Transfer with Onafriq over Ripple Payments will bring the benefits of faster and more cost-effective cross-border payments to individuals seeking to send money into Africa from around the globe.”

Onafriq has the largest mobile money movement footprint across Africa at a time when mobile money is a significant driver of financial inclusion and has revolutionized access to financial services across the continent. The fintech’s payment hub connects over 500 million mobile wallets across 40 African countries, and operates across more than 1300 payment corridors on the continent, underpinning regional payment interoperability and seamless cross-border payments.

The announcement is being made as Dare Okoudjou, Founder & CEO of Onafriq, is set to appear at Swell Global 2023, the seventh edition of Ripple’s annual customer conference, which this year takes place in Dubai.

Dare Okoudjou, Founder & CEO at Onafriq, said: “Our mission is to make borders matter less when it comes to payment within, to, and from Africa. We are advancing this mission through our partnership with Ripple, which is already enabling new types of connections with fintechs such as PayAngel, Pyppl and Zazi Transfer. These connections are set to enable fast, secure and low-cost remittances at scale between Africa and the rest of the world, and represent a bold first step for our crypto strategy to leverage blockchain technologies to amplify our impact on people and businesses on the continent.”

Pharma and healthcare Blockchain platform, XRP Healthcare, built on XRP Ledger has expanded into UAE and the Middle East.

As per the press release, XRP Healthcare recognizes the Middle East’s forward-thinking approach to blockchain and crypto regulation, which is more favorable and progressive compared to many other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom. This strategic expansion aims to benefit from and harness the untapped potential of blockchain technology in healthcare, legislation, investment, and new partnerships, ultimately benefiting consumers and token holders alike.

In a statement, XRP Healthcare’s Business Development Officer Laban Roomes noted, “The Middle East has demonstrated a remarkable embrace of innovation and technology, especially in the blockchain and crypto space. This alignment with Dubai’s progressive regulatory framework makes it the ideal destination for XRP Healthcare’s expansion and upward trajectory. What is important to bear in mind is that XRP Healthcare is a long-term project, with a roadmap reaching into 2027, anyone who wants to share in our vision should fully understand we are not here to make people rich overnight but rather to build a fully functional and real-world utility business consolidating the highly fragmented private healthcare sector, starting in Africa – that has blockchain technology at the heart of it. Our expansion into the Middle East by incorporating XRP Healthcare L.L.C in Dubai positions the company perfectly for accelerated growth, our operations in Africa, and the rest of the world.”

Founder of XRP Healthcare Kain Roomes said, “I am thrilled to announce the exciting expansion of XRP Healthcare into the bustling hub of Dubai and the broader Middle East. This move represents a significant leap in our journey, one that combines healthcare innovation with the transformative power of blockchain technology. Dubai and the Middle East offer a uniquely fertile ground for our endeavours. It’s a region known for its forward-thinking approach to business, blockchain technology, and an unmatched commitment to fostering innovation. This environment aligns perfectly with our vision of a healthier world powered by the convergence of healthcare and blockchain.”

He adds,” As a company, we are bringing a fresh perspective to the private healthcare industry, specializing in mergers and acquisitions starting in Africa. Our approach is grounded in transparency, security, and efficiency, which are the hallmarks of what we have set out to achieve. In a world where data integrity and privacy are paramount, we are proud to be creating solutions that redefine how healthcare mergers and acquisitions will be conducted. As part of our expansion, we will be collaborating with local healthcare professionals, businesses, and investors in Dubai and the Middle East, with the main goal of enhancing patient care on a global scale.”

In a recent blog post Sologenic, a Ripple partner pointed out the Ripple now boasta of 4.8 million wallets with 20 percent of its customers coming from MENA region. The information was provided by Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse during the Dubai Fintech Summit.

These comments were made as Sologenic and Ripple expand their presence in the UAE and MENA region. The SOLO Wallet has successfully onboarded over 200,000 users onto the XRP Ledger. Moreover, strategic partnerships with payment ramps like Uphold and BANXA to provide global accessibility to the ledger, and recent listings on prominent exchanges in specific regions such as Bitpanda (Northern Europe), CoinDCX (India), and CoinsPh (The Philipines) underscore the platform’s unwavering commitment to delivering accessible and cutting-edge tokenization solutions. These efforts directly address the surging demand among institutional investors eager to access digital assets.

As Ripple charts its course into the heart of Dubai’s financial sector, Sologenic stands as the one-stop-shop for all things XRP within the ecosystem. Sologenic’s platform connects global financial markets with the world of cryptocurrencies, redefining digital asset trading by allowing fractional share ownership.

Sologenic’s regulated arm is deploying a platform with a hybrid model for the on-demand tokenization of assets. This platform facilitates trading between crypto and off-chain traditional assets such as stocks & ETFs. This institutional-grade offering is designed for RIA’s, brokerage houses, family offices, banks and other financial institutions looking to tokenize real-world assets for their clients.

In Ripple’s latest report in July 2023,entitled “ 2023 New Value report, Crypto Trends in Business and Beyond” which covered topics such as cryptocurrencies, tokenization, DeFi, and crypto custody, financial decision makers from MENA ( Middle East and North Africa) are more bullish than their counterparts in other regions when it comes to cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and Blockchain.

As per the report findings, 72% of finance leaders surveyed expressed increased confidence in the crypto industry over the last 6 months, the number is even higher for those in the MENA region, reaching 87%.

90% of global finance leaders anticipate big impacts on business from blockchain and digital assets in the next three years. In terms of tokenization, they see the most massive impact in public stock trading and private share trading. This was especially expressed by finance decision makers with cryptocurrency experience in MENA.